Hearts
Omnivore, 2025
9/10
This 5th album from the folk trio Hearts arrived in 1975, and 50 years later we’re treated to this Expanded Anniversary Edition that includes 6 bonus tracks with 5 previously unissued alternate versions.
The warm keys of “Daisy Jane” starts the listen with the trio harmonizing with plenty of soft rock beauty that recruits cello, and “Half A Man” follows with Willie Leacox’s thumping drums adding grit to the buzzing climate.
Further along, “Old Virginia” comes with timeless folk qualities that are intimate and cozy, while “Company” makes great use of the keyboards amid a scrappy pop-rock mood.
“Sister Golden Hair”, one of the 3 singles from the album, arrives late and emits an infectious energy that will always be synonymous with the band via the swirling folk-rock, and “Seasons” exits the original album via radiant strings that add much to the sophisticated layers of classic rock.
The bonus songs consists of tracks from the LP in different versions. “Daisy Jane”, the vocals and strings mix, is particularly interesting, as is “Con Tu Pelo Tan Dorado”, the Spanish version of “Sister Golden Hair”.
This was America’s 2nd album with the legendary producer Sir George Martin, and it further propelled the Brit-rockers into worldwide fame. A half a century later, the songs still sound great, and the bonus material is certainly worth the investment.
Travels well with: Steve Young- Stars In The Southern Sky; Dave Edmunds- Swan Songs: The Singles 1976-1981